UP flood damage prompts Amtrak detour

Union Pacific's Moffat Tunnel route has been closed for repairs west of Denver for an undetermined period following flood damage afflicting wide portions of Colorado, resulting in a detour for Amtrak's California Zephyr.

Amtrak said effective Friday, Sept. 20, 2013, the long-distance train linking Chicago and Emeryville, Calif. (with bus connections to San Francisco), will be rerouted between Denver and Salt Lake City, until further notice. The reroute will be through Wyoming, one of the few states in the contiguous U.S. without Amtrak service.

Amtrak said it will provide alternate transportation by chartered buses for stops missed by the reroute, including: Glenwood Springs and Grand Junction, Colo., and Green River, Helper, and Provo, Utah. Local conditions prevent Amtrak from providing alternate transportation to Fraser-Winter Park and Granby, Colo., the company said.

Passengers already ticketed to those stations are being told of the alternate transportation or temporary service suspensions. Amtrak said these potentially affected passengers "will be offered refunds or travel on a future date. Amtrak apologizes for any inconvenience and has notified the affected communities. "